davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
THAT VALENTINE.

One of the tendereSt and strongest pas
tOral tragedies ever written Is Thomas
Hardy's Far From the Matllng Crowd"
and the wheel of its peoples destiny was
turned by valentine.
Many will remember the story, with its
bright, beautiful. extraordinary heroine, and
the three men whose fate was entaugled with
her-two gOod and faithful One a faithltss,
feather headed rogue Bathsheba Eyer,lene,
girl remarkable aS her name, but money
less, while visiting her aunt meets Gabriel
Oak. young farmer, who, with none of the
usual preliminaries to such step, asks her To
marry him She is rather hattered by the
proposition: but after a short dialogue with
her woOer she decides she will not marry him,
because she doesn't love him. He tries to
talk her out of her decision; but he has two
qualities which insure him failure with Bath
sheba humility and a superfluouS moiety of
honesty. Gabriel Oak leaves her at last, with
the bearing of one who was going To give his
days and nights to Eccle>iastes forever. He
says: Il shall do one thing in this life-One
thing certain-that II, love you, and long for
you, and keep wanting you till die And
he was very much in earnest when he SAIL II,
for his voice had tears in it, and his big
brown hands trembled Il quarter of an inch
each way; and when men choke and tremble
in their hove making women are impressed
promises
A few days after Gabriels unsuccessful
wooing he learned that BathSlIel,, hli,i gone, To
u place called Weath-rbury. but he 'iid not
learn that she had inherited magnificent
farm from her uncle, and her purpose III going
there WAS to live ON it and take charge of it.
A few days later u catastrophe overlook
Gabriel His dogs, couple of earnest but
wrong headed beasts chased his sheep over
fence and down chalk pit, killing them t.
the last eve, and leaving him ruined man
financially. He was down lower than he had
ever been, but the abasement brought exalta-
ton and the loss gain He had left him "a
dignifed calm he had never before known,
and ali Indifference to fate which, though il
often makes a villain of "A man, Il the basis OF
his sublmity when it does not
He started out afoot TO find employment as
bailiff; failing that he offered himself as a
shepherd, driftei To Weatherbury, playing
his flute at fairs To further his travel, and at
last found himself hired as shepherd 10y Bath
heba's bailiff, and suddenly face To face with
Bathsheba herself, now developed into the
supervising and cool woman OF business.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

As he was hunting lodging on the same
night that saw him engaged rs shepherd, he
passed the thin, motionless figure of a woman
by the church yard wall. He gave her Il
CHEEKY good night, 10 which she responded
the same words, i'll IA low, sweet voice Sug-
gestive of romanre-a voice common i'll de
scrption but rare in experience They pro
longe,i the interview in II neighhorly way,
and she told that she was rather poor and
requested him not to say anything about
having seen her. He begged her Ia accept a
shilling from him, and a. he touched her hand
in the darkness he fancied that he had felt
himself in the penumbra OF IL very deep
sadness.
That night pretty, fair haired Fanny
Robin, Bath>heha'S youngest serving maid. was
missing at the farm house. The slim girl by
the churrhyard wall and the missing maid
and the same. and her fate. too, was
mixed up with that of the more prominent
persons i'll this story.
Bathsheba a. the farmers said was such
a shapely maid" that twas small wonder all
eyes were upon her when she appeared at the
market, and all sounded her praises Being
shapely a To face and figure, it j. not >urpriS-
ing that she was also vain, and 10y virtue of
her recent rise in life littlc arrogant Even
the gods were guilty OF these weaknesses after
they had moved from Mount Olympus into
the wide sky above il, according TO the later
poets
Among her neighbors was man Of fine
appearance and great dignity. who never
looked at her. This was MIR. Boldwoud, II
gentleman farmer, who WAS described as n
hopeless man for a woman; had been cOurted
by skies and sevens, ell to no purpose. He
was bachelor OF five and thirty. rich and
handsome. but not at all susceptible. Bath
sheba sat opposite him ut church, met him III
r.
30 much winning from him an admiring
glance. She felt injured.
While III this state OF mind she brought
home i valentine from the village one even
ing k gorgeous, embossed affair,
~. It,e>> IN appearance OF it, power as a fac
IJr la the. lives If the persons Whose hands Is
Vas t. pass through aud into. An innocent
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

say little Is often TO tell more than to say a
great deal Boldwood told everything in that
word.
As the consciousness expands Oh learning
that what was fancied 10 be the rumble of
wheels is the reverberation OF thunder, did
Bathsheba's at her intuhive conviction.
Il feel-almoSt-too much-to think" he
said with a solemn simplicity. Il have come
to speak TO you without preface. My life Is
not my own since | have beIeld you clearly,
Miss Everdene-I came 10 make you an offer
of marriage.
Bathsheba tried TO preserve am absolute
neutral countenance, and all the motion she
made that of closing lips which had
previously been little parted.
IL am now 10 years old" he went Il
may have been called confirmed bachelor,
and was a confirmed bachelor | had never
any views Of myself as husband in my
earlier days, nor have made any calculation
on the subject since | have been Older But
all change: and my change in this matter
came with seeing you. | have felt lately,
more and more, that my present way Of liv-
ing is lad in every RESPECT. Beyond all
things, | want You as my wife"
Il feel. Mr. Boldwood. that though I re-
spect you much, do not feel-what would
justify me TON accepting your offer" she
stammered.
This giving back of dignity for dignity
seemed to open the sluces of feeling that
BoLlwooI had as Vet kept closed.
MY life i IA burden without YOU he ex-
claimed in IA low voice. Il want yOu-l want
you 10 let me say | love you again and
AGAIN.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

enough piece of statIoner's art il seemed to be-
Bathsheba had purchased it for little Teddy
Coggan, but as she was about TO address il TO
him, Liddy, her irrepressible serving maid,
suggested that it would be great fun to send
it TO the stupid old Boldwooi;" that he'd
worry to DEATH and so, with yawn on her
handsome face, Bathsheba as~ented, and
wrote upon its formidable envelope Farmer
BoldwOod's name and sealed il with a large
resi- seal, hearing the mandatory motto,
Marry me-" She did not know that il was
10 lie a powerful factor in the destiny of her
handsome, reserved neighbor. She could not
see that the red wax sealed bis fate, SO very
idly and unrefectingly was this deed done.
At dusk on the evening of St Valentines
day Boldwool sat down to supper as usual,
by beaming fire of aged logs Upon the
mantel shelf before him was time piece,
surmounted 10y II spread eagle, and upon the
eagles wings was the letter Bathsheba had
sent. Here the bachelors gaze was cOntinu-
ally fastening itself, till the large red seal
became a. u blot of blood on the retina of his
eye; and a. he ate and drank he still read in
fancy the words thereon, although they were
too remote for his sight: MARRY me" There
in the calm OF his home, under the color OF
his grave mind, the pert injunction, Marry
me, - took on a deep sOlemnity. he could not
get il out of his mind-not even when he
slept-and the next days dawn saw a new
and restless Mr. BOldwOod in place Of the
calm, Indifferent one. He, who knew nothing
of Jokes, gave 10 the foolish valentine a sig
niticanee OF deepest import. His imagination
began 10 play upon the sender. W no was
She The motto of the seal, the inSistent red
seal, ever blazing in his mind Marry
me-" Marry me,r he heard and saw moth
ing else, and dimly behind it "a womans
form, now near. now far, now faint ami haZy
AMI then fairly luminous, but never decided
enough TO settle the question of her identity.
Before many days he proved by compari-
son that the writing on his valentine was
BathSheba Everdene's. The next Saturday he
looked AT her for the first time i'll market
He her black hair, her correct facial
curves and profile, and the roundness of her
chin and throat He saw then the side of her
eyelids, eyes and lashes and the shape of her
ear. Next he noticed her figure, her skirt,
and the very sOles of her shoes. He thought
her beautiful, and wondered in frightened
way how this romance in the flesh had es-
cape,l the possession of man. He saw her
adding up accounts with dashing, young
farmer, and grew feverish with incipient
jealousy; he trod for the first time the thresh-
old of the injured lovers hell" All this
time, Bathsheba, without looking, was con
>cioUs of having broken into the dignified
stronghold of Mr.. BOldwood's mind Womens
very ribbons seem to have ewes to perceive
these things.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

Il have not fallen in love with You, Mr.
Bodwood-certainly | may say that She
allowed very small smile 10 creep for the
first time over her serious face i'll saying this,
and the white row of upper teeth and keenly
cut lips, already noticed, suggested an nlea
of heartIe~snesS, which was Immediately con
tradicted 10y the pleasant eyes
But you will just think-in kindness and
cOndescen>ion think-if You cannot bear with
ME as a husband | fear | am too old for
you, hut believe me. | will take more care of
you than would many man of Your own
age. | will protect and cherish You with all
my strength will, indeed"
Bath>heba's heart was young. and il >welled
with sympathy for the deep naturel man who
spoke So simply.
Don't say it-don't, | cannot bear YOU
TO feel so much, and me to feel nothing
And | am afraid they will notice Us. MIR
Boldwond. Will YOU let the matter rest
now. | cannot think colleCte,lly. | did not
know you Were going 10 say this to me Oh,
/ am wicked To have made You suffer 50.
She was frightened well a2itated at his
vehemence.
''Say. then, that YOU don't absolutely re-
fuse. Do not quite refuse"
Il can do nothing. | cannot answer
Il may speak % you again ON the sub
jects~
Yes
Il NAV think Of YOU
YES, | suppose you may think Of me
And hope 10 obtain youf
''No-,io not hope, Let Us 60 on"
Il will call upon you again tomorrow
''So-plea>- not, Give me time"
''Yes-I viii give YOU any time" he said.
earnestly ami gratefully. Il am happier
now"
mol beg you, Don't he happier if hap
piness only comes from my agreeing. Be
neutral, Mr.. Boldwood. must think
81 will wait he said
And then she turned away. Boldwood
dropped his eyes to the ground, and stood
long like . man who did not know where be
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

CUPID AID PSYCHE DISSEMINATE TROUBLE
Bathsheba answered nothing, and the horse
upon her arm seemed impressed, that in
stead of cropping the heritage it looked up.
Il think and hope you care enough for me
to listen to what have To tell"
BathshebaS momentary impulS.. at hearing
this was To ask why he thought that, till she
remembered that far from being a conceited
assumption on Boldwoods part, it was but
the natural conclusion of serious reflection
based on deceptive premises of her own offer
ing
Il wish could say courteous batteries TO
You" the farmer continued III All easier tone
land put my rugged feeling into II graceful
shape; but | have neither power nor patience
To learn such things. | want YOU Tor my wife
SO wildly that no other feeling can abide in
HE; but | should not have spoken ont hal |
not been lei IL Lol,."
The valentine again, Oh that Valentine
she said IL herself, hut not II word To him.
III you can love me, say -. Mis- E>,.r,I,.ne
If nOt-,lor,'t ~ay no..
MIR. HOLLYWOOD il i painful To- have To
say | am surprised - that don't know how
To answer You with pr"prirty ami r-~p,.,'t-
but am only just able. To- speak out nv feeling
i mean my meaning: that | am afraid
cant marry You, much IA ! RESPECT You. You
are too dignitied for me- 10 suit you sir"
But, Miss Ever,lene,r
IL didn't know 1 ought never 10 have
dreamed of sending that observation-disclosures
me, sir-it was "A wautOn thing which no
woman with any self respect should have
done. Ii You will only pardon .Iy thought
lessnes~, promise never to-
No, no, no. Don't say thoughtle,sneSs,
Make me think it was something more-that
it was Il sort of prophetic ins.inrt-the begin
ming of feeling that You woulh like me
You torture me 10 say II Wa don. in thought
lessne>s-l never thought vt il III that light
and | can't endure il. All | wish | knew
how to win YOU, but that | can't do can
only ask if have already got you. IL have
not, and it j. NOT true that you have come un-
Willingly To- me a 1 have To YOU can say
no more"
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

There tire wan faced woman Stpod staring out
uOn ne night.
So they found her. crouching white.
By her easement where the light
OF gray morning through the lattice softly fell in
silver rain;
And they said that il was best
That the weary one found rest.
That the bridegroom Death had taken her in ity
from her pain.
Sun-scarred. CHASTITY in decay,
Stan s the chat+au the bay,
And the fishers breathe all ave ~ they pass its
sonber gates;
And they say that every night
OF ST Valentine a light
Streams from ont the highest easement, where
woman stands and waits.
ERNEST De LANCEY PIERSON.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
these things.

The phases of BoldwOOds life were or,iin-
AIRY enough. but his was not an ordinary
nature. Iii an emotion possessed him at all it
ruled him. He was always hit mOrtally or
he missed He had no light and careless
touches in his constitution either for good or
evil He saw no absurd side 10 the follies of
life, and thus, though not quite companion
able in the eyes of merry men and scoffers
and those to- whom all things show life
Jest, Inc was not intOerable To the earnest and
those acquainted with grief.
BathSheba was far from dreaming that the
dark and silent shape upon which she had 50
carelessly thrown seed was IA hctbed of
trOpic intensity; nor did she realize the pos
sibly great iSSues of little beginnings. The
causes of love are chiefly subjective, AMI
BoldwOOd was a living testimony to the truth
of the proposition. No mother existed 10
absorb his devotion, no sister for his tender
ness, no idle ties for sense. He became sur
charged with the compound, which was genu-
inc lovers love.
Month, went by, and he had never even ex-
changed n word with the woman whose i'm
age mad driven everything else from his
mind. At last he grew used To being i'll love,
AMI was less startled by the passion, though
tortured more.
Then he determined to be no longer re-
pulsed by trivialities or distracted by sus-
pense. He called formally upon Miss Ever
dene, hut she was not in.
1t was near the end of May that, as he went
me,titatug down the slopes of his splendid
farm one morning he saw Miss Ever,iene's
sheph, ri and his men washing sheep i'll the
river, while near 10y stood Miss Ever,iene in
a new riding habit, the reins of her horse be-
ing looped over her arm.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

BY st. Malo ON the sea,
Quaintest town in Brittany;
On . worn and ea-swept headlanai stands the
crumbling Chateau dor,
Browning from It's dizzy height,
Over surging waters white,
And white birds shrilly calling round its
towers evermore.
Tenantiess. and cold, and gray
Are its stately halls to-day,
That once echoed with the footballs OF q woman
wondrous fair;
And the giLced gate is rust.
And the turrets mohiering dust,
Where she watched the white sailed ships from
her easement high in air.
There for years she lived in grace
In that solemn stony place,
Alone with weird wind voices and the waves for
company;
And no fisher maid. they said,
Earned SO hard her bitter bread
As this gentle, fair haired woman in her castle by
The
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
NY HEART IS THINE.

When springs first violet on the gale
Her tender perfume filings;
When. deep IN some s>-qaester-d vale.
The thrush his love tale sing.
When all bright thugs Of earth ami SKY
In hymns of praise combin-
One >DuS. one pray'T. alone Or-afu- /:
Sweet love, wilt thou De mine"
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

Mr. BuIv,rI walked cIo~t. 70 her and babe
her G"ud morning, in "a constrained way
Fee ling guilty ami littl,. ab;i>h,-i, she slipped
along 10y the. river a st1u-.- throw off She
heard footsteps brushing the grass. and had
a consciousness that love was eucircling her
like "A perfume. She moved on AMI looked
not back. and al last was completely past the
bend Of the river. Boldwood was close be-
hind her
Miss EveT,iene,~ said he
She trrnIsI-,f, turned and said food
morning H. tone was - utterly removed
from al n, hsd expected q beginning IL
was Irwue--~ and quiet arrenJe-i: an emphasis
OF deep mt anIuG~, their form. ut the same
time. being -car'ely expressed Silence has
sonIetim,~ remarkable power OF showing
itself as tu,. ,li<enitoii-i soul Of feeling wan
derlng without it> carcass. anal Il H. then moro
impressive tLsn speech. In the same way. ~
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
4 screen from n HareIn.

In Washington dwell two young women
who own TO much brc-a-brac that they
have moved into larger house 20 accom-
mOdate a. Among other rare things II "A
screen such ar j. used in eastern barems,
made Of carved wood, with curious little
windows which open and shut Ike doors --
Chicago Times
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

Now all nature seemed in love aud birds
had drawn their valentine Walters
Apollo has ~. Isd through the ,hu't-r,
And awakened the witty aui far.
The bsaTdug -..ilppi i-.ile's "a "a nutfrr,
The tNoI-nny past IA despair
Ths. br-ath II the morning - Ringing
A magic on blossom and SPRAY
Aui cs--kurN- AMI ~IlaTrpsy~ singing
IL chorus on kal-utin--s daN.
pHAED.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

All her heritage hau she sold,
Save these storm SCARED towers old,
To ransom her b.throthed who lay y captive In
Alsiers,
And her face grew aud white
A. she spun by day and night
The gold that bought hts freedom had b-e n sancti
ned with tears
From her many lowered home
bay by day she watched the foam.
And the thai at the castles gate Knocked
loud and ceaselessly;
And beyond the fishing town
Stood with gabled roofs of brown,
Like fleet OF battered ships enchanted ON . vel
low sea
wooers came win her glance,
Heroes of the sword and lance,
Sturdy merchantmen from Rennes who laid their
fortunes AT her feet;
But she only gave them nay,
In her sad and gracious way,
And her face seemed pleading mercy, twas 80
pteousiy sweet.
So they left sadly all
Standing by the gray wall,
With hand upon the tawny deer hound
crouchlng at her side,
Aud across the sands and sra
Her eyes wandered wistfully,
With the eager, longing look of "a patient waiting
bride.
And one day a passing ship.
Like "A bird paused To dip
In the bay Def q it plrmrd its snowy wings again
for flight;
And - essage came for her.
That set heart aud blood astr,
Sent bright bushes to her cheek and filed her
splendid eyes with light.
He free, Was free at last
And NO mem'ry OF the past,
With its weary hours Of waiting, dimmed her
happiness that day
All the ser>itude of years
Wasted vigiis, lonely tears,
We're forgotten, asshe sought her silent room to
kneeland pray.
Now the days sped syift along.
And her heart seemed full of song,
A. she sought her weary tasks, singing softly
Shewe
And the chateau grim and bare
Now seemed lovable and fair
As she waited for his coming with trusting chd's
content.
so the winter passed away
And the joyous holiday
Came when maids and lovers offer prayers
good 81. Valentine.
Through ST. Mso by the
Passed u goodly company,
Armored knights and qu.enly women, gayly in
the soft sunshine.
From her tower the chateiaue
Wat he'd affair that Courty train
And a sweet Lone stirred her bosom and her
heart hrat L'ud and bold.
: SHE stately knight,
Clothed in silver ami s.,mIte.
Foremost af that ghttering group ia 'broider-s OF
gold.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

n all the nights were moonlight nights,
AMI ~. had naught To 40
But just - ~ and plan delights,
Thu I would wed with you.
II ijf. was all summer tete.
IT. ~ab,.n.~f pace. the -glida.
Then would rhp'g~t' uli Tor mN mate,
AHd keep yuu at nlN side.
But winter makes fan half the year.
Aud labor half uf life.
AMI all IT,. laughter AMI good cheer
tA' place 10 wearing strife.
DaN~ WilI grow cold ant moons wax old.
AMI thru hrHTt that trtF
J. iH.tt,.i Tar than Ifar" uT gDlIs
AuI 80. nv l'Ns'. altrl
/ ,-suu,I We'd with ApH
EItA Mnrrt.EF WHO'S
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

The birds The fow-rS. the foliage % the trees,
Tb- stars which ---m liked aud 70 sublime,
Vas cont nrni~ aud tue eternal S-a-.
Al fb-s- do rhange with ever changing Time,
Bu- am ..hanz-I-ss. Oh, my Valentine
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

The late Sir Moses Nonteflore was one Of
the last persons Ia London who went about
la a sedan chair, with Tour bearers
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
HER ANSWER.

II all the year was summertime.
Aud all the aim of life
Was lust t. lit on like rhyme,
Then would be your wife
II all the DAYS were August days,
And CROW ned With golden WEATHER.
How happy then through gr,'rn clad ways
We two coull stray together
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

Love Is enough. why should We care Tor fame
Ambition * a most unpleasant guest.
II lures Us with the glory of name
Far from the happy lands OF peace and resi-.
Let us stay here ID this secluded place.
Made beautiful by loves endraring grace.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13
4 LOUISIANA BALL.
HOW THE cREOLeS or THE AT
TAkAPUs PRAIRIE ENJOY LIFE.

4 Pen Picture of village Hospitality,
iroiic at IA Lon. House on the Prairie.
Lively >cene-"Gombo" aud ChiNalry.
The ola peddIer.
The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-13

the pain of a wound received i'm an excite
ment which eclipses it, and he, too, then
went OH.
And just above the bend of the river was
Gabriel Oak washing his sheep and taking
fresh grip on his rebellious heart at the same
time, for we'll did he divine the intent if not
the result OF Mr.. Boldwoot's walk with Bath
sheba by the riverside.
The patterns were being marked out in the
web Of hate. The valentine had been the in
cipient cause of the curious AMI eventful ira
Gerry.
That evening there was sheep shearing
supper at the farm hou~r, AMI Mr.. Boldwood
was there by invitation. While the men sat
long at the big table spread on the porch
and talked and grew merry as the gods in
Homer's heaven, Miss Everdene and her guest
went inside ami sat by the window. The
men asked her To sing the Banks of Allan
Water" and she did 30. Gabriel Oak accom-
panying her on his flute. The picture and
the words OF the song, which were prophetic,
though they did not know it, fingered long
in the memory of more than one of the COM
panV